Heat exchanger with combined closing member and fluid distributor



March 2l, 1967 A HANGER G. BUTT 3,310,105 HEAT WITH CO NE LOSING M ER AND FLUID D RI OR Filed June l5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F l G. l F l G. 2

,24 52 [IIR 24 m 52; www". lll im 28 /Za I 12a l 4 INVENTOR.

ALAN G. BUTT ATTORNEYS 1967 A. G. BUTT ANGER WITH COMBINED CLOSING March 21,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l5, 1964 INVENTOR.

A LAN G. B U TT Mw MWL A T T O R N E YS n United States Patent O 3,310,105 HEAT EXCHANGER WITH COMBINED CLOSING MEMBER AND FLUID DISTRIBUTOR Alan G. Butt, La Crosse, Wis., assigner to The Trane Company, La Crosse, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed June 1S, 1964, Ser. No. 374,973 10 Claims. (Cl. 165-166) This invention relates to heat exchangers and especially to heat exchangers having spaced metallic plates defining therebetween fluid passages for the flow of heat exchange fluids. More particularly the present invention relates to such heat exchangers specifically adapted for the introduction of a two phase fluid, such as liquid and gas, into a single fluid passage. A problem has existed as to obtaining thorough distribution of one phase in the other.

It is a prime object of this invention to provide a means for simultaneously introducing both gas and liquid to the same passages -of a plate type heat exchange core which permits relatively large changes in flow rates of either phase without disturbing the uniformity of distribution of one fluid within the other.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a gas-liquid distributor means which is useful with brazed heat exchangers.

It is another object of this invention to provide a gasliquid distributor means which constitutes an integral part of a heat exchanger.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a plate type heat exchanger with a closing member disposed in a first heat exchange fluid passage and arranged to uniformly distribute a second liquid heat exchange fluid toan adjacent passage conducting a third gaseous heat exchange fluid.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this specification proceeds to describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is an elevational side view of the bar face side of a brazed plate type heat exchanger incorporating my novel liquid-vapor distributor;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational side view taken at 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken at 3 3 of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 4 shows an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the heat exchanger incorporating a first form of liquid distributor; Y

FIGURE 5 is similar to FIGURE 4 showing a second form of liquid distributor;

FIGURE 6 is similar to FIGURE 4 showing a third form of liquid distributor; and

FIGURE 7 is an elevational side view of a plate element of the heat exchanger.

Now referring to the drawings, it will be seen that heat exchanger 10 is comprised of a stack of planar rectangular thermal conductive metallic plates or sheets 12 arranged in superposed spaced parallel relationship defining a plurality of fluid passages 14 therebetween. Certain of these passages 16 are arranged to conduct a first heat exchange fluid via headers 18 and 20. Others of these passages 22 are arranged to conduct `a second gaseous heat exchange fluid via inlet header 24 and outlet header 26. Passages 16 and 22 may be alternately arranged in the manner shown to provide for good heat exchange between the first and second exchange fluids. Outward of each of the outermost passages 14 is a side plate or sheet 28 having a configuration similar to plates 12 although somewhat thicker so as to provide armor for the heat exchanger core in addition to defining one side of a fluid passage.

ICC

The fluid passages 22 are provided with a first group of closing bars or members 30 sealingly bonded at adjacent ends as at 32 and interposed between and sealingly bonded to adjacent surfaces of adjacent plates 12 at the peripheral margins thereof. Certain of bars 30 have their adjacent ends spaced from each other so las to provide a fluid inlet 34 and a fluid outlet 36 to each of passages 22. Header 24 is mounted in fluid communication with each of inlets 34 and header 26 is mounted in fluid communication with each of outlets'36. Each passage 22 may be provided with triangular distributor sections 38 disposed adjacent inlet 34 and outlet 36 having fins extending longitudinally of the heat exchanger; with a trapezoidal distributor section 39 disposed to each side of each triangular distributor section (FIGURES 3-6) having fins inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the passage toward section 38; and with a rectangular distributor section 40 adjacent the sections 39 having fins extending normally to the longitudinally axis of the passage. The fins of this last mentioned section known as hardway are perforated in any known manner to permit fluid to pass transversely therethrough. Fin packing 41 having longitudinally extending fins is disposed between the sections 40. The fins of sections 38, 39, 40, and 41 may be of corrugated sheet metal construction. Gas entering inlet 34 is distributed evenly across the width of passage 22 by fins 38, 39, and 40 from whence it passes in proper distribution through the heat exchanger packing 41.

Passages 16 are provided with a second group of closing bars or members 31 sealingly bonded at adjacent ends and interposed between and sealingly bonded to adjacent surfaces at the margins of adjacent plates 12 forming passages 16. Certain of the members 31 have their adjacent ends spaced from each other so as to provide a fluid inlet 19 and a fluid outlet 21 for each of passages 16 as shown in FIGURE 3. One of the closing bars or members 31 identied by numeral 42 (FIGURE 3), which is adjacent inlet 34 of the adjoining fluid passage, is provided with a longitudinally extending duct 44 which is provided with an outlet 46 for discharging liquid with uniform lateral distribution into inlet 34 of passage 22. The plates 12 between passages 22 and 16 designated as numeral 12a may be notched as at 48 to permit fluid communication from outlet 46 to inlet 34. Each of bars 42 is provided with one or more inlet apertures 50 which are arranged in fluid communication with one or more headers 52 for conducting a liquid heat exchange medium to inlets 50. It will thus be seen that liquid entering headers 52 will flow through inlets 50, through d-ucts 44, through outlets 46, into the inlet 34 for admixture with the fluid entering inlet 34 from header 24. Thus, each member- 42 functions as a closing member for a passage `16' and as a liquid distributor for uniformly distributing a liquid into an adjoining gas passage.

Thus during operation of the heat exchanger a first heat exchange fluid passes through passages 16 (see FIG- URE 1) via headers 1S and 2t) in heat exchange relation with a second gaseous heat exchange fluid passing in adjacent passages 22. The second fluid is delivered to passages 22 via header 24 through inlets 34 and leaves passages 22 via outlets 36 and header 26. The first heat exchange fluid in passages 16 is also heat exchanged with a third liquid heat exchange fluid passing in adjacent passages 22. This third liquid fluid enters headers 52 and passes through ports 5t) into ducts 44 where it is uniformly distributed along the inlets 34 for admixture with the second heat exchange fluid.

FIGURES 4-6 show three different forms of closing bar 42 as designated respectively by numerals 42a, 42h, and 42C.

In FIGURE 4 closing bar 42a is comprised of a first channel 54 having its leg portions extending inward toward the heat exchange core and a second channel 56 disposed inwardly of channel 54 and having its leg portion spaced from and extending toward the leg portions of channel 54. Apertures 59 in channel 5d are provided for forming a fiuid inlet for the fiuid conducting duct 44 between the channels. The space between adjacent leg portions of the several channels presents an elongated outlet 55 from said duct. However, all of the outlet is sealed by the adjacent plates 12 except where plates 12a are notched out at 48 adjacent the inlet 34 of the adjoining passage.

In FIGURE S closing bar 42h is comprised of a single hollow extruded member dfi having a slot 62 at one side facing the inlet of the adjoining passage and extending into the hollow interior thereof. Slot 62 is closed by the adjacent plate 12a except where plate 12a is notched as at 4S.

Liquid may enter inlets Sti, pass longitudinally through the hollow interior of the extruded member 6G and emerge through the portion of slot 62 exposed by the notch at 48 for uniform distribution of liquid at the inlet 34 of the adjoining gaseous uid passage.

In FIGURE 6 closing bar 42e is comprised of a single hollow member 64 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced bores 65 extending from the hollow interior to the external surface adjacent the notched portion at 48 of plate 12a. Fluid entering inlets 5t) thereof is transrnitted longitudinally within bar 64 from whence it is ydistributed evenly to the inlet 34 of the adjacent gaseous liuid passage via bores 66.

In all forms of the invention shown, the open ends of the closing bars 42 are closed by abutting closing members as at 63. The outlets of closing bars 42 provide good distribution of the liquid heat exchange fiuid in the heat exchange passage conducting a gaseous heat exchange fluid in spite of variations in iiow rate of either of such fiuids. The distributor type closing bars 42. herein disclosed are extremely simple to connect by headers and require a minimum of cost and labor to install as they are simply brazed in place by salt bath or furnace.

Although I have described in detail specific embodiments of my invention, it is contemplated that various changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of my invention and I desired to be limited only by the claims.

I claim:

1. A plate type heat exchanger co-mprising first, second and third heat conducting plates stacked in spaced substantially parallel face-to-face relationship; sealing means extending between adjacent faces of said first and second plates along the margin thereof sealingly connecting said first and second plates thereby defining a first fluid passage between said first and second plates for the passage of a first heat exchange fiuid; a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for said first fluid passage; sealing means extending between adjacent faces of said second and third plates along the margin thereof sealingly connecting said second and third plates thereby defining a second fluid passage between said second and third plates for the passage of a second heat exchange fluid to be heat exchanged with said first heat exchange fluid; a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for said second fluid passage; said last mentioned sealing means being a substantially closed duct extending along the margin of said second and third plates and seaiingly bridging therebetween having the interior thereof connected in fiuid communication with said first fiuid passage adjacent the inlet thereof for directing a third heat exchange fluid for distribution at the inlet of said first liuid passage.

2. The device as defined by claim 1 wherein said last mentioned sealing means includes a pair of elongated parallel 91131111161 mlllbr 'each having its leg portions extending parallel to said plates toward and spaced from the other channel member; the space between adjacent leg portions of said pairs of channel members defining an elongated fluid distributing opening for distribution of said third heat exchange fiuid at the inlet of said first passage.

3. The device as defined by claim 2 wherein said second plate is notched at the periphery thereof adjacent the inlet to said first passage to accommodate passage of said third heat exchange fluid.

4. The device as defined by claim 1 wherein said last mentioned sealing means includes an elongated hollow bar having a longitudinal slot at the side adjacent said inlet to said first passage and penetrating to the interior of said bar.

5. The device as defined by claim 4 wherein said second plate is notched at the periphery thereof adjacent the inlet to said first passage to accommodate passage of said third heat exchange fluid.

6. The device as defined by `claim 1 wherein said last mentioned sealing means includes an elongated hollow bar having a plurality of apertures spaced longitudinally therealong extending from the surface of said bar adjacent said inlet of said first passage into the hollow interior of said bar.

7. The device as defined by claim 6 wherein said second plate is notched at the periphery thereof adjacent the inlet to said first passage to accommodate passage of said third heat exchange fluid.

8. A plate type heat exchanger comprising first, second and third thermal conducting plates disposed in substantially parallel superposed face-to-face relationship; first means forming a fluid seal between said first and second plates adjacent the margins thereof defining a first fluid passage therebetween for a first heat exchange medium; means associated with said sealing means forming a fluid inlet to and fiuid outlet from said first fiuid passage; extended heat transfer surface disposed in said first fiuid passage; second means forming a fluid seal between said second and third plates adjacent the margin thereof defining a second fiuid passage therebetween for a second heat exchange medium; said last mentioned means including an elongated hollow member extending adjacent said fluid inlet of said first passage; means forming an opening from the interior of said elongated hollow member intermediate the ends thereof and disposed in fiuid communication with said fiuid inlet of said first passage; and means to supply the interior of said elongated hollow member with a third heat exchange medium to be mixed with said first heat exchange medium at said fiuid inlet of said first passage.

9. A plate type heat exchanger comprising first, second and third heat conductive substantially rectangular plates superposed in spaced substantially parallel face-to-face relationship; a first group of bars sealingly bonded at adjacent ends and interposed between and sealingly bonded to adjacent surfaces of said first and second plates at the peripheral margins thereof; one end of one of said bars being spaced from the adjacent end of another of said bars thereby defining a gaseous fluid inlet to the space between said first and second plates bounded by said first group of bars; means forming a fiuid outlet from said space; a second group of bars sealingly bonded at adjacent ends and interposed between and sealingly bonded to adjacent surfaces of said second and third plates at the peripheral margins thereof; means forming a fiuid inlet and a iiuid outlet with the space between said second and third plates bounded by said second group of bars; one of the bars of said second group adjacent said gaseous fiuid inlet being hollow; means defining a fluid passage in said hollow bar extending from the hollow interior thereof to the exterior side thereof adjacent said gaseous fluid inlet; and means for supplying a liquid fluid to the interior of said hollow bar.

10. A plate type heat exchanger comprising first, second and third heat conducting plates of generally similar configuration spaced in superposed substantially parallel relationship; first sealing means extending between and sealingly bonded to adjacent faces of said first and second plates along the margins thereof thereby defining a first uid passage between said rst and second plates for passage of a first heat exchange fluid; a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for said first fiuid passage; second sealing means extending between and sealingly bonded to adjacent faces of said second and third plates along the margins thereof thereby defining a second fluid passage between said second and third plates for passage of a second heat exchange fluid to be heat exchanged with said first heat exchange fluid; a fluid inlet and a uid out-let for said second uid passage; said second sealing means including an elongated duct having its lateral extent briding between adjacent faces of said second and third plates along a margin thereof and having the exterior surface thereof sealingly bonded to each of said adjacent faces of said second and third plates thereby effecting a seal between said adjacent faces of said second and third plates; means for connecting the interior of said duct to said first fluid passage adjacent said inlet of said first passage; and means for conducting a third heat exchange fluid to the interior of said duct -for distribution in said first fluid passage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,409,520 3/1922 Bird 165-19 X 1,506,001 8/1924 Hughes 159-28 X 1,684,083 9/1928 Bloom 62-525 2,432,136 12/1947 Bertetti 159-13 X 2,806,676 9/1957 Frenkel 165-159 X' 2,875,986 3/1959 Holm 159-28 X 3,063,681 11/ 1962 Duguid 165-110 X FOREIGN PATENTS 633,132 7/1936 Germany.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

T. W. STREULE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PLATE TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER COMPRISING FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD HEAT CONDUCTING PLATES STACKED IN SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL FACE-TO-FACE RELATIONSHIP; SEALING MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENT FACES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATES ALONG THE MARGIN THEREOF SEALINGLY CONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATES THEREBY DEFINING A FIRST FLUID PASSAGE BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATES FOR THE PASSAGE OF A FIRST HEAT EXCHANGE FLUID; A FLUID INLET AND A FLUID OUTLET FOR SAID FIRST FLUID PASSAGE; SEALING MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENT FACES OF SAID SECOND AND THIRD PLATES ALONG THE MARGIN THEREOF SEALINGLY CONNECTING SAID SECOND AND THIRD PLATES THEREBY DEFINING A SECOND FLUID PASSAGE BETWEEN SAID SECOND AND THIRD PLATES FOR THE PASSAGE OF 